Can't decide if I really need 4WD on a Sequoia

[TheNinja]

I found a perfect Sequoia in my area in my budget, super clean vehicle, has everything I want as far as leather, color, etc. The fleet manager at the dealer actually owned it for a few years so the service records and perfect. However it does not have 4WD, it's the SR5 edition, not the LTD I was hoping for.

Now I'll admit, in the 8 years I've owned my 4x4 pickup I've used 4WD probably 2 times. As my kids get older I may use it more to go to the mountains/Tahoe area. Also, it is conceivable I'd move back to the midwest in the next 2 years where RWD can be pretty rough on snow/ice even with the Sequoia's claim that it has anti-skid and traction control.

For most of you guys is 4WD/AWD a deal breaker or did you find you never really use it?

 

[BudAshes]

I found a perfect Sequoia in my area in my budget, super clean vehicle, has everything I want as far as leather, color, etc. The fleet manager at the dealer actually owned it for a few years so the service records and perfect. However it does not have 4WD, it's the SR5 edition, not the LTD I was hoping for.

Now I'll admit, in the 8 years I've owned my 4x4 pickup I've used 4WD probably 2 times. As my kids get older I may use it more to go to the mountains/Tahoe area. Also, it is conceivable I'd move back to the midwest in the next 2 years where RWD can be pretty rough on snow/ice even with the Sequoia's claim that it has anti-skid and traction control.

For most of you guys is 4WD/AWD a deal breaker or did you find you never really use it?

Do you use it for towing or something? I'm not sure what the point of buying a massive SUV without 4x4 would be.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

I would just for resale purposes, you may not need it, but if you plan to sell or trade it ever, odds are that buyer will want it.

 

[BudAshes]

I would just for resale purposes, you may not need it, but if you plan to sell or trade it ever, odds are that buyer will want it.

It looks like the gas mileage is only moderately better at best in the 2wd. Either way you are looking at a sad 15mpgs.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I find my usage of 4wd inversely proportional to the value of the vehicle. The cheaper it is the more often I take it offroad.

 

[BudAshes]

I find my usage of 4wd inversely proportional to the value of the vehicle. The cheaper it is the more often I take it offroad.

Hahah, good point. I use to catch air in my old 90's Pathfinder on a routine basis.

For snow in the mountains 4x4 is a must. Putting on chains on the side of a busy highway in muddy oil filled snow while it's blizzarding is not as fun as it sounds.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Hahah, good point. I use to catch air in my old 90's Pathfinder on a routine basis.

For snow in the mountains 4x4 is a must. Putting on chains on the side of a busy highway in muddy oil filled snow while it's blizzarding is not as fun as it sounds.

Hopefully one pays attention to tbe weather and route prior to hitting the nasty.

I will run chains for 30 miles here in Colorado on our Jeeps prior to getting into bad weather. Heated garage vs chilly wind

 

[BudAshes]

Hopefully one pays attention to tbe weather and route prior to hitting the nasty.

I will run chains for 30 miles here in Colorado on our Jeeps prior to getting into bad weather. Heated garage vs chilly wind

You live in Colorado and don't have 4wd Jeeps?

*Edit* Chains are more important in Tahoe than Colorado though. Due to the higher temps causing constant melting and re-freezing the snow is a lot more dangerous on the road.

 

[phucheneh]

I'm not sure what the point of buying a massive SUV with 4x4 would be.

...fixed?

It's a big heavy people/stuff-hauler. 4WD is not going to do anything in 98% of on-road driving scenarios (and it's not gonna be a good off-roader, regardless). Just gives you more parts to break. If it's full-time, you also get to have less mileage and just generally worse road manners.

 

[BudAshes]

...fixed?

It's a big heavy people/stuff-hauler. 4WD is not going to do anything in 98% of on-road driving scenarios (and it's not gonna be a good off-roader, regardless). Just gives you more parts to break. If it's full-time, you also get to have less mileage and just generally worse road manners.

My main point is that why get a vehicle with 15mpgs if you don't need a 4wd enough to have it be mandatory. The only reason I could see is that you need to tow something or maybe if you get cheap gas somehow. I own a 5.4L expedition 4x4 as a third car and I can't even imagine it as a daily driver. Each time I fill it up is over 100 dollars and that 30 gallons doesn't last more than 450 miles. It sits in the drive way until I need it which is fairly often in the winter, but even then I have to factor a decent chunk into my budget to pay for the 400 miles in gas it takes to get to tahoe, not to mention all the driving I do when I'm there.

 

[phucheneh]

Oh, I see what you're saying. I think we're agreeing on a basic level but then just going in different directions. I agree with a sentiment of 'why would anyone want a V8 full-frame truck if they're not going to tow.' Or...have a pickup bed, for that matter.

 

[EagleKeeper]

You live in Colorado and don't have 4wd Jeeps?

*Edit* Chains are more important in Tahoe than Colorado though. Due to the higher temps causing constant melting and re-freezing the snow is a lot more dangerous on the road.

Both Jeeps are 4wd.

However with packed snow on narrow mountain roads chains help.
Even running with snow tires

 

[BudAshes]

Both Jeeps are 4wd.

However with packed snow on narrow mountain roads chains help.
Even running with snow tires

Oh, ok. I've never had to do that so maybe the snow isn't worse in Tahoe. The only time I drove in Colorado there was no snow, but I do remember some pretty epically steep roads.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Oh, I see what you're saying. I think we're agreeing on a basic level but then just going in different directions. I agree with a sentiment of 'why would anyone want a V8 full-frame truck if they're not going to tow.' Or...have a pickup bed, for that matter.

And my answer to that is who friggin' cares what someone else buys with their money.

I wish people would stop getting so bothered over what other people own.

A Sequoia would be very low on my list of vehicles to buy, but if someone else wants one, fine.

 

[BudAshes]

And my answer to that is who friggin' cares what someone else buys with their money.

I wish people would stop getting so bothered over what other people own.

A Sequoia would be very low on my list of vehicles to buy, but if someone else wants one, fine.

Well the OP did ask. Not sure why you would take issue with someone giving there opinion.

 

[Meghan54]

...fixed?

It's a big heavy people/stuff-hauler. 4WD is not going to do anything in 98% of on-road driving scenarios (and it's not gonna be a good off-roader, regardless). Just gives you more parts to break. If it's full-time, you also get to have less mileage and just generally worse road manners.

Actually, the Sequoia is a very competent off road vehicle, just like its cousin, the 4WD Tundra. Heck, our GX 470 is quite good off roading.

True, none of them are at the level of a Jeep Rubicon, but they can all hold their own off roading.

 

[slag]

It looks like the gas mileage is only moderately better at best in the 2wd. Either way you are looking at a sad 15mpgs.

huh? 15mpgs for a large SUV isn't bad at all.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Well the OP did ask. Not sure why you would take issue with someone giving there opinion.

He was asking about the 4x4 and whether people find they use it or not, not whether people think he should get a Sequoia or not as he's decided that part already.

Personally, I want the 4x4 for those times that I do need it. I rarely use my 4x4, but it sure is nice to have available. Yes, there is more stuff that can go wrong, and depending on the vehicle it may or may not change its driving characteristics (mine it does not).

 

[BudAshes]

huh? 15mpgs for a large SUV isn't bad at all.

No doubt, but if you aren't using it for the beefy frame and ground clearance then you are sacrificing gas mileage for no real reason.

I feel like every time I post in this forum all I get are snarky replies from people who have misunderstood what I said. I think I'm over the garage forum and I don't think I will be missed.

 

[jlee]

Oh, I see what you're saying. I think we're agreeing on a basic level but then just going in different directions. I agree with a sentiment of 'why would anyone want a V8 full-frame truck if they're not going to tow.' Or...have a pickup bed, for that matter.

What's a pickup bed have to do with towing?

 

[phucheneh]

I was saying, essentially, that if you buy a big truck and don't tow with it, then having said truck doesn't make much sense. And if you didn't use the bed to haul stuff (...or the bed was factory-converted into space for booger-eaters and soccer gear)...well, you're flat out of reasons to have a large, body-on-frame, V8-powered vehicle.

More importantly, Sparky should go away. No one is upset or bothered by the OP's questions or potential choice of vehicle. We are merely giving our opinions. Which bother you. That makes you the problem, I think.

I attempted to say 'I don't see why would you would recommend 4WD on that truck; it won't help anything.' The other side was 'why buy a truck like that and NOT get 4WD?'

Both of us were trying not to be too terribly offense in states the obvious conclusion. 'Why would anyone buy that truck...ever?' There are just much better vehicles for most purposes. Not that the Tundra isn't a fine truck; but it's a terrible vehicle for someone who should be buying a car.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Seems like you don't need 4WD or a big ass SUV (to me)

 

[jlee]

Seems like you don't need 4WD or a big ass SUV (to me)

Who gives a damn? I don't "need" 400hp either.

 

[slag]

No doubt, but if you aren't using it for the beefy frame and ground clearance then you are sacrificing gas mileage for no real reason.

I feel like every time I post in this forum all I get are snarky replies from people who have misunderstood what I said. I think I'm over the garage forum and I don't think I will be missed.

It doesn't matter what you are using it for, my post is still correct. 15 mpg isn't bad for a full size truck or SUV. It wasn't meant to be snarky, sorry if I came across that way. I get about 12-14 mpg in my titan. yes, its 4wd, yes, I drive 80+ on the highway, no, I don't really give two shits about mileage, I knew what I was getting into when I bought it. I wouldn't have it any other way with the snow and ice I drive on in the winter (yes, 4wd does help on ice too), along with pulling my boats out of the lake on mossy ramps and the infrequent trips into the field for turkey hunting or metal detecting in old homesteads back in a farmer's muddy field.

This is my daily driver also. It doesn't make sense to spend 12-15k on a nice car for a daily driver and just have my truck sitting there.

 

[Leyawiin]

For myself I can't see getting an SUV - small or large - without AWD or 4WD. Its the unspoken gist of the basic body style. If you're going to stick with 2WD you might as well get a regular car or a minivan.